Department of Pediatrics

Flourish Hour- October Session
2025-10-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Via Zoom
Date: October 30, 2025 | noon
Title: Rooted in the Season: Fall Adventures
Speakers: Rory Bade, MD, Krisjon Olson, PhD, Charlie Bergstrom, MD, & Reva Finkelman, MA
Session Overview: This October’s Flourish Hour celebrates the richness of fall through biking adventures, farming, and getting into the Halloween spirit that nourish both physical health and mental well-being. Join us for an energizing session where we explore local outdoor activities, hear from colleagues about their seasonal pastimes, and discover how embracing the rhythms of fall can support our department’s broader goals of creativity, balance, and holistic growth. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist, a curious hiker, or simply someone who enjoys a crisp apple in the sunshine, there’s something here to inspire your autumn journey.
Where: Zoom

Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.

Flourish Hour- November Session
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00
Date: November 20, 2025 | noon
Title: The Heart of Giving
Session Overview: Join us for Flourish Hour: The Heart of Giving, a relaxed and inspiring session celebrating the power of volunteerism. In the spirit of the season, we’ll hear from people who generously share their time and talents to make a difference in their communities. They’ll reflect on what motivates them to serve, the impact they’ve seen, and how giving back enriches their own lives. Come connect, listen, and be inspired by the many ways we can each give from the heart.
Speakers: Lisa Fisher, Dan O’Connell, MD & Avani Bellary, DO
Where: Zoom
Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.

Flourish Hour- January Session
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00
Date: January 29, 2026 | noon
Theme: Winter Adventures
Session Overview: Bundle up and glide into the magic of winter! This month’s Flourish Hour invites you to explore the excitement of cold-weather adventures—from a local event, Olympic events, dog sledding, to the thrill of speed skating and beyond. Whether you’re drawn to frosty outdoor fun, curious about winter sports traditions, or simply seeking inspiration to embrace the season, join us for an engaging session that celebrates the joy, energy, and wonder of wintertime activities.
Speakers: Charlie Bergstrom, MD, Anne Marie Singh, MD, and Chelsea Schaack
Where: Zoom

Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.

Flourish Hour- February Session
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00
Date: February 26, 2026 | noon
Theme: What Does Hygge Mean to You?
Session Overview: Join us on Feburary 26, 2026, noon–1 p.m., (via Zoom) for a cozy virtual gathering centered around the Danish concept of hygge — a quality of warmth, comfort, and togetherness that fosters a deep sense of well-being. During this interactive session, we’ll explore the question, “What does hygge mean to you?” Participants will reflect on the small moments, rituals, and environments that bring a feeling of contentment, while learning how hygge can be incorporated into everyday life through experience from our fellow department members. Expect a welcoming space, meaningful conversation, and inspiration for creating more comfort and connection in the new year.
Facilitator: Mala Mathur, MD, MPH
Where: Zoom
Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.

Flourish Hour- April Session
2026-04-30 12:00 - 13:00
Date: April 30, 2026 | noon
Title: Tiny Stories Project Writing Session
Speakers: Jessica Babal, MD, & Marissa LoCastro, MD
Overview:
The project invites residents, fellows, and faculty to write 55-word stories describing a moment in residency that was humbling, stressful, relatable, rewarding, or challenging. There is special interest in having physician faculty provide stories to show residents that they are not alone in their difficult experiences.

Participants would have the option to have their stories anonymously displayed at an art gallery–style event in June, designed to foster connection across UW SMPH departments. Many departments across UW SMPH are contributing this year, and it would be wonderful to have our Pediatrics faculty well-represented! Or, participants could keep their work for themselves, no sharing is required.

The Tiny Story project lead, Marissa Locastro, is also looking for pediatric staff to pilot participation, sharing about their humbling, stressful, relatable, rewarding, or challenging experiences as they entered the world of academic medicine. Staff would have the option for their work to be posted in a mini gallery within the department hallways, or kept for personal use only, no sharing required.
Where: Zoom
Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s Strategic Priorities (DoP login required), as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life. These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet. If you are interested in hosting, teaching and/or suggesting a future professional development event, please complete the Professional Development Activity Request Form.
